Activities – August 2017

Raksha Bandhan

Children from Shreevatsa tied rakhis to each other to celebrate the joyous occasion of raksha bandhan. The children as well as the volunteers celebrated this event. The children also enjoyed the sweets specially made for this occasion.

Trivia

Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shraavana, which typically falls in August.The scared thread, tied on the right hand of the brother, is a symbolic reminder of it’s spiritual significance—a divine vow of purity to live a life of noble thoughts, words and actions. Besides spiritual purity, when a sister ties the sacred thread of Rakhi on her brother’s wrist to protect him, it’s also a reminder that he has to protect her from all evils—be it spiritual or physical.

Independence Day

On the occasion of the Independence day the children were dressed traditional white clothes . Our National Flag was hoisted and the children sang the National Anthem with all other participants.

Trivia

Independence Day is annually celebrated on 15 August, as a national holiday in India commemorating the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947, the UK Parliament passed the Indian Independence Act 1947 transferring legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly.

Dahi Handi

A terracotta matka was filled with chocolates, biscuits and other tasty sweet treats for the children, was hung in the play area. The children, volunteers and staff danced on the traditional songs to suit the occasion. The matka was broken by the kids by making a pyramid. The kids were showered with chocolates and sweets. All enjoyed Dahi Handi thoroughly.

Trivia

Dahi Handi (dahi:curd or yoghurt, handi:earthen pot) is one of the festive events and a team sport during the Hindu festival Gokulashtami, which is known as Krishna Janmashtami in the rest of the country, and celebrates the birth of Krishna.

Dahi Handi is celebrated every August/September, the day after Krishna Janmashtami. It involves hanging an earthen pot filled with dahi (yoghurt) or other milk-based delicacy, at a convenient or difficult to reach height. Young men and boys form teams, make a human pyramid and attempt to reach or break the pot. As they do so, girls surround them, sing with music, and cheer them on.The event is based on the legend of the Krishna stealing butter and other milk products as a baby.

Church Visit

Children were taken to the seventh day Adventist church. Children enjoyed the calmness and bliss in the church premises.

Petrol Pump Visit

Children were taken to the petrol pump to see the routine operations. The staff at the petrol pump very enthusiastically explained everything to the children. The children enjoyed the visit.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Utsav- an important festival in Maharashtra was celebrated with great pomp and splendour in Shreevatsa. Shri Ganesh idol was worshipped for 12 days with many dignitaries and guests visiting for “aarti”. The children took an active part in celebrating the festival of “The God of Knowledge”.

Trivia

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Hindu festival that reveres god Ganesha. A ten day festival, it starts on the fourth day of Hindu luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, which typically falls in Gregorian months of August or September. The festival is marked with installation of Ganesha idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stage). The festival ends on the tenth day after start, wherein the idol is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in nearby water body such as a river or ocean, thereafter the clay idol dissolves and Ganesha is believed to return to Mount Kailash to Parvati and Shiva.